Pakistan and Sri Lanka are clashing in a virtual semi-final.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are currently engaged in a must-win clash at R Premadasa Stadium to get an opportunity to meet India in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first after rain reduced the game to 45 overs per-side. The official hosts made five changes, four of which were forced due to injuries to Imam-ul-Haq, Agha Salman, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. Sri Lanka also made couple of changes from their last game.
Fakhar Zaman's form continued to let him down as he was dismissed for 4, while captain Babar Azam got a start but was dismissed for 29 by the very impressive Dunith Wellalage. Soon Pakistan were in doldrums at 130/5 in the 28th before another rain shower forced play to be halted.
The game resumed to be now a 42 overs per-side clash, as wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed took charge in their hands and added a century stand. Iftikhar fell for 47, but Rizwan batted till the end and remained unbeaten on 86 to take Pakistan to 252/7 in 42 overs. Matheesha Pathirana took 3 wickets for Sri Lanka.
In reply, Sri Lanka got off to a strong start with Kusal Perera slamming 17 off 8 balls before he was run-out by Shadab Khan with a direct-hit. However, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis batted confidently and continued to attack the Pakistan bowlers, who felt the pressure, conceding easy boundary balls.
Babar Azam was left in despair as he held his head in his hand after yet another boundary was conceded, something which didn't go unnoticed as fans quickly grabbed the chance to come up with some hilarious memes.
Check them out here: